photoelectrolytic cell

Also contains definition of: photocatalytic cell
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04608
A cell in which @R05039@ causes a net chemical conversion in the cell, e.g. so as to produce hydrogen as a useful fuel. These cells can be classified as photosynthetic or photocatalytic. In the former case, @R05039@ provides a Gibbs energy to drive a reaction such as \(\text{H}_{2}\text{O}\rightarrow \text{H}_{2}+\frac{1}{2}\text{O}_{2}\) , and electrical or thermal energy may be later recovered by allowing the reverse, spontaneous reaction to proceed. In a photocatalytic cell the photon absorption promotes a reaction with \(\Delta G < 0\) so there is no net storage of chemical energy, but the @R05039@ speeds up a slow reaction.
Source:
PAC, 1991, 63, 569. (Terminology in semiconductor electrochemistry and photoelectrochemical energy conversion (Recommendations 1991)) on page 593 [Terms] [Paper]
See also:
PAC, 1991, 63, 569. (Terminology in semiconductor electrochemistry and photoelectrochemical energy conversion (Recommendations 1991)) on page 596 [Terms] [Paper]